Tobacco cartridge for pipe-like smoking device

ABSTRACT

A cartridge of tobacco for use with a pipe-like smoking device. The cartridge includes a charge of tobacco mounted in a rigid support which holds one end thereof and forms an enclosed chamber which chamber includes a trap chamber for waste juices from the tobacco. An aperture in the rigid support provides communication with the enclosed chamber for access to one end of the tobacco charge therethrough.

United States Patent 11 1 Fether et a1.

1 51 Sept. 25, 1973 [54] TOBACCO CARTRIDGE FOR PIPE-LIKE 1,165,000 12/1915 Dula 131/3 SM G DEVICE 1,862,133 7/1932 Bayan 1 131/3 2,091,440 8/1937 Gilliam 131/3 Inventors: Kenneth Fether; David 2,258,933 10/1941 Knob ..131 3 Brickwood; Peter Steer Sampson, all 2,746,459 5/1956 Coble 131/225 X of London, England 2,937,648 5/1960 Meyer 131 3 3,079,927 3/1963 Fassbender. 131/225X 1 Asslgneel lmperlal TObaCw Group Llmlted, 932,937 8/1909 Ziegler 131/3 Bristol, England 3,397,702 8/1968 Armstrong 131/230 x [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1971 h S Primary Examiner-Josep Reich [21] Appl' l767o0 Att0rneyLarson, Taylor & Hinds Related U.S. Application Data 7 [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 848,483, Aug. 8, 1969, [57] ABSTRACT abandoned.

A cartridge of tobacco for use with a pipe-like smoking 52 U.S. c1 131/3, 131/15 0, 131/224 device The Cartridge includes a charge of tobacco 51 Int. 01 A24d 01/14 mounted in a rigid Support which holds one end thereof 58 Field of Search 131/3, 15 c, 224, and forms an enclosed chamber which Chamber 131/23O cludes a trap chamber for waste juices from the tobacco. An aperture in the rigid support provides com- [56] References Cited munication with the enclosed chamber for access to UNITED STATES PATENTS one end of the tobacco charge therethrough.

86,369 2/1869 Consuegra et al. 131/15 C 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEPZS I975 SHEET 1 [IF 2 I nvenlor A Home y PATENTEDSEPZSIWES SHEET 2 [1F 2 Attorney TOBACCO CARTRIDGE FOR PIPE-LIKE SMOKING DEVICE This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 843,483, filed Aug. 8, 1969, and now abandoned.

This invention concerns a tobacco cartridge for pipelike smoking devices, e.g. the one described and claimed in out co-pending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 848,514, filed Aug. 8, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,625,227.

According to the present invention there is provided a cartridge of tobacco for use with a pipe-like smoking device, said cartridge comprising a charge of tobacco enclosed in a combustible sheath and held by one end in a rigid support which provides an enclosed chamber, the support being apertured or rupturable to provide access to the said one end of the tobacco charge through the enclosed chamber.

Preferably the axis through the aperture or rupturable area of the chamber is displaced from the tobacco charge.

In a preferred embodiment the aperture of rupturable area of the chamber is in a side wall of the chamber, with its flow path substantially at right angles to that of the tobacco charge.

The aperture or rupturable area may be spaced from thewall of the chamber opposed to the said one end of the tobacco charge whereby a trap chamber is provided in said enclosed chamber beyond the flow path between the said one end of the charge and said aperture or rupturable area.

Preferably the tobacco charge is not disposed within said support, but is held by one end closely adjacent thereto- Preferably the sheathed tobacco charge is held against the rigid support by an encircling band which encloses both the end of the tobacco charge and the rigid support.

The rigid support may include a filter against which the tobacco charge abuts. The filter is preferably incombustible. In a preferred embodiment the support includes a second filter in abutment with said incombustible filter on the face remote from said tobacco charge.

Preferably the tobacco is enclosed in a sheath of reconstituted tobacco leaf.

The tobacco charge may be cylindrical, the chambe of the cartridge being rectangular.

The invention is illustrated merely by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a tobacco cartridge and pipe-like smoking device according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the tobacco cartridge shown in FIG. 1 taken in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the components shown in FIG. 1 in their assembled form, and,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, a tobacco cartridge comprises a charge of tobacco held in a support 11. The tobacco charge 10 is in the form of a cylindrical rod comprising tobacco filler 12 enclosed within a sheath 13 of reconstituted tobacco leaf. This tobacco rod is formed on a continuous rod making machine and is cut into sections for attachment to the support 11.

The support 11 comprises an upper cylindrical cuplike portion 14 and a lower substantially rectangular enclosed chamber 15. The cylindrical cup-like portion 14 has disposed therein a conventionalsrnoke filter 16 e.g. of acetate tow and, in abutment therewith, a filter plug 17 of non-combustible material e.g. a ceramic material. The upper surface of the filter plug 17 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is above the upper end of the support 1 l. The tobacco charge 10 which is of the same diameter as portion 14 rests in abutment with the upper surface of the filter plug 17. The tobacco charge 10 and support 14 are inter-connected by a paper band 20 which encircles the tobacco rod and the support (with filter 17 therebetween) holding them together.

The lower substantially rectangular chamber 15 is completely enclosed but one wall thereof is provided with a circular aperture 21.

The tobacco charge support 11 described above is preferably formed of polystyrene by an injection moulding process. However, it will be appreciated that the support is not restricted to this material or the method of manufacture.

The pipe-like smoking device itself comprises a cartridge holder 30 which may be either injection moulded plastic material or die-cast in aluminum or similar metal. The cartridge holder comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 31 provided with a generally cylindrical cavity 32 adapted to receive the tobacco cartridge. A hollow tube 33 is formed integral with one side of the main body 31 and the bore 34 of thetube communicates with the cavity 32.

The cavity 32 is generally cylindrical but of a shape complimentary to that of the cartridge support 11 with the lower portion being adapted to receive the somewhat rectangular enclosed chamber 15 and the upper end of the cavity being cylindrical and adapted to seat the upper cylindrical cup-like portion 14.

The upper end of the cartridge support is provided with an external angular groove 35 adapted to seat a spring clip 36 to provide a resilient connection between the cartridge holder 30 and a bowl 40. The bowl 40 comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a tapered bore and the lower end being formed to cooperate with the upper end of cartridge holder 30. The bowl 40 can be of any desired shape and can be made in any desired material, e.g. wood or plastics. Again, instead of the push-fit interconnection between the bowl and the cartridge holder 30 a screwthreaded or any other suitable connection may be provided.

The pipe-like smoking device also comprises a tubular stem 44 made preferably of thin wall steel having a be force fitted in to the tube 33 to provide a friction/s1 iding surface for the tubular stem 44.

Finally, the smoking device comprises a mouthpiece 51 preferably injection moulded in polycarbonate material and provided with an enlarged bore 52 at one end to provide a push fit connection with the tubular stem 44.

To assemble the device the bush 50 is inserted into tube 33 and the stem 44 is inserted within the bush 50 with the spring clip 47 positioned in the annular groove 46. An annular space 53 between the end of the bush 50 and the end of the bore 34 provides a space within which the spring clip 47 can move.

The assembled components are shown in FIG. 3. The tubular stem 44 is reciprocal within the bush 50 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to a retracted position in which the spring clip 47 abuts the end face of bush 50.

To use the device, the mouthpiece 51 and stem 44 are withdrawn from the holder 30 until the cavity 32 is free from the obstruction formed by the chamfered end 45 of the stem 44, i.e. until clip 47 abuts the end of bush 50. A tobacco cartridge is then inserted within cavity 32 until the cup-like portion 14 seats in the upper cylindrical portion of cavity 32. In this position the aperture 21 in the tobacco cartridge support will be aligned with the bore within the bush 50. The stem 44 and mouthpiece 51 are then pushed into the cartridge holder 30 until the chamfered end 45 of the stem 44 enters the hole 21 with the clip 47 abuting the wall of the cartridge support 1 1. This is the position shown in FIG. 3. In this position the tobacco cartridge is held firmly within the cartridge holder 30 and cannot be withdrawn. The device is then ready for smoking. 1 As clearly shown in FIG. 3 there is an annular space 60 between the sheath of the tobacco charge and the bore of the bowl 40. This annular space 60 provides a gap into which ash can fall from the tobacco charge. It will be appreciated that bowl 40 can be removed from holder 30 for cleaning purposes. Space 60 also provides the space for air circulation to support combustion of the tobacco. It will be appreciated that the bowl 40 can be apertured or perforated to provide additional air if this is required.

It will also be noted that the chamber 15 is relatively large compared with the remainder of the pipe and the aperture 21 is disposed at least half way up the side wall of the chamber. Thus the volume of the chamber 15 below aperture 21 provides a useful trap chamber for goo produced during smoking. Additionally, this por tion of the chamber 15 provides a condensation trap.

To empty the pipe, the mouthpiece 51 and stem 44 are withdrawn from the cartridge which, with the pipe inverted, falls from the cartridge holder 30 together with any ash within bowl 40, into a suitable receptacle. A fresh charge can then be inserted in the manner described above.

The bowl 40 need not be removed during recharging and emptying operations, but of course the bowl can be removed if desired e.g. for cleaning purposes.

With any smoking device of the type described above a variety of bowls can be provided to enable the smoker to vary the shape of the smoking device at will. In addition, the cartridge holder 30 need not be of the generally cylindrical form described but could, for example, be spherical. Again, the chamber 15 need not project below the bottom of holder 30 but could be flush therewith or recessed therein.

Referring to the cartridge 10, the tobacco charge 12 can be of any suitable form and can be enclosed with in any suitable material. Thus paper could be employed in place of the reconstituted tobacco leaf sheet and indeed any suitable combustible material can be used.

Again, instead of being in abutment with the filter plug 17 and attached thereto by a paper encircling band 20, the tobacco charge could be held in the cup 14 by friction grip. The disadvantage of this arrangement is the probable incomplete combustion of the whole of the tobacco charge. Also the possibility of charring the cartridge support 11 does exist. However,

this can be overcome by suitably designing the cartridge if this method of support is to be employed.

Clearly two filters need not be used, although, to prevent combustion of filter material it is preferable to employ the non-combustible filter 17. If a single filter is used, it should be non-combustible e.g. a ceramic or an acetate filter treated with non-combustible material.

The aperture 21 need not be open as is described above. Thus the aperture could be covered with a ruptruable sheet of material e.g. paper, as shown symbolically in dotted lines at 21 in FIG. 2, which the stem 46 would puncture when moved into engagement therewith. In either case, the cartridge will be wrapped in protective foil or cellophane to provide a moisture barrier.

We claim:

1. A cartridge of tobacco for use within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, said cartridge comprising:

a. a charge of tobacco,

b. a lightweight thin-walled rigid support holding one end of the charge of tobacco having means therein defining an enclosed elongate chamber which is adapted to be a trap chamber for trapping therein fluid material which may be present during smokc. said support means including a horizontal surface below the charge of tobacco adapted to locate the cartridge vertically within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, and the portion of said thin-walled rigid support defining the elongate chamber extending downwardly below the level of the horizontal surface and adapted to support the cartridge horizontally within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, and

d. means providing an aperture means in said thin wall of said rigid support, said aperture means communicating with the said one end of the tobacco charge through the enclosed elongate chamber means and said aperture means being adapted to assist in the location of the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device.

2. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said horizontal surface is provided by means of a shoulder in the thin-walled rigid support and which forms an abutment, said abutment being adapted to provide a vertical flat surface in the thin-walled rigid support, the aperture means being provided in this vertical flat surface and said abutment further providing a firm seating for the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device.

3. A cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support is made from a synthetic resin.

4. A cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support includes an incombustible filter against which the tobacco charge abuts, an encircling band adapted to hold the tobacco charge against the lightweight thin-walled rigid support said band enclosing both the end of the tobacco charge and the lightweight thin-walled rigid support.

5. A cartridge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support includes a second filter in abutment with said incombustible filter on the face remote from said tobacco charge.

6. A cartridge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tobacco charge is enclosed in a sheath of reconstituted tobacco leaf.

6 7. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 including a rupd. means providing an aperture in said thin-wall of turable sheet of material covering said aperture means. said rigid support, said aperture means communi- 8. A cartridge of tobacco for use within a bowl of a eating i h th aid one end of the tobacco charge p p Smoking device, said cartridge Comprising: through the enclosed elongate chamber means and a Cylindrical Charge of tobacco 5 said aperture means being adapted to assist in the b. a lightweight thin-walled rigid support holding one location of the Cartridge within a bowl f a pipe end of the charge of tobacco and having means the rein definmg an enclosed elongate chamber e. an incombustible filter against which the tobacco which lS adapted to be a trap chamber for trapping charge abuts, il fluld matenal whlch may be present during 10 f. an encircling band which encloses both the end of smo mg,

0. said support means including a horizontal surface h tobacco charge and the lightweight thinjwaned below the charge of tobacco adapted to locate the ngld Support to hold the tobacco Charge agamst the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking delightweight thirl'waned rigid 9 f vice and the portion of said thimwaued rigid g. a second filter m abutment with said mcombustlble like smoking device,

port d fi i the elongate chamber means extend filter on the face remote from said tobacco charge, ing downwardly below the level of the horizontal d surface and ada ted t support the t id holih. a sheath of reconstituted tobacco leaf in which the zontally within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking detobacco charge is enclosed. vice k 

1. A cartridge of tobacco for use within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, said cartridge comprising: a. a charge of tobacco, b. a lightweight thin-walled rigid support holding one end of the charge of tobacco having means therein defining an enclosed elongate chamber which is adapted to be a trap chamber for trapping therein fluid material which may be present during smoking, c. said support means including a horizontal surface below the charge of tobacco adapted to locate the cartridge vertically within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, and the portion of said thin-walled rigid support defining the elongate chamber extending downwardly below the level of the horizontal surface and adapted to support the cartridge horizontally within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, and d. means providing an aperture means in said thin wall of said rigid support, said aperture means communicating with the said one end of the tobacco charge through the enclosed elongate chamber means and said aperture means being adapted to assist in the location of the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device.
 2. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said horizontal surface is provided by means of a shoulder in the thin-walled rigid support and which forms an abutment, said abutment being adapted to provide a vertical flat surface in the thin-walled rigid support, the aperture means being provided in this vertical flat surface and said abutment further providing a firm seating for the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device.
 3. A cartridge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support is made from a synthetic resin.
 4. A cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support includes an incombustible filter against which the tobacco charge abuts, an encircling band adapted to hold the tobacco charge against the lightweight thin-walled rigid support said band enclosing both the end of the tobacco charge and the lightweight thin-walled rigid support.
 5. A cartridge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lightweight thin-walled rigid support includes a second filter in abutment with said incombustible filter on the face remote from said tobacco charge.
 6. A cartridge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tobacco charge is enclosed in a sheath of reconstituted tobacco leaf.
 7. A cartridge as claimed in claim 1 including a rupturable sheet of material covering said aperture means.
 8. A cartridge of tobacco for use within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, said cartridge comprising: a. a cylindrical charge of tobacco, b. a lightweight thin-walled rigid support holding one end of the charge of tobacco and having means therein defining an enclosed elongate chamber which is adapted to be a trap chamber for trapping therein fluid material which may be present during smoking, c. said support means including a horizontal surface below the charge of tobacco adapted to locate the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, and the portion of said thin-walled rigid support defining the elongate chamber means extending downwardly below the level of the horizontal surface and adapted to support the cartridge horizontally within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, d. means providing an aperture in said thin-wall of said rigid support, said aperture means communicating with the said one end of the tobacco charge through the enclosed elongate chamber means and said aperture means being adapted to assist in the location of the cartridge within a bowl of a pipe-like smoking device, e. an incombustible filter against which the tobacco charge abuts, f. an encircling band which encloses both the end of the tobacco charge and the lightweight thin-walled rigid support to hold the tobacco charge against the lightweight thin-walled rigid support, g. a second filter in abutment with said incombustible filter on the face remote from said tobacco charge, aNd h. a sheath of reconstituted tobacco leaf in which the tobacco charge is enclosed. 